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Literature Text
“Paradox, wake up,” my Dad’s soft voice drifted through my dreams. I slowly opened my eyes with a flutter.
“Morning, Dad,” I mumbled.
He gently patted my wild, messy hair down. “I’m going out to get food. You need to watch camp.”
“Sure,” I replied.
With fatherly love, he kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
Walking. That’s all I ever seemed to do anymore. And I was so tired of it… The crunch of the rocks beneath my feet, the dust in my eyes, the smell of earthy copper… It was my only companion in the Desolate Lands, the cursed place that I wandered, day and night. I would stop only to rest only when I was too exhausted to go any further.
The sky above was scorching with heat. It was the middle of summer, July, in fact, when the Lands were most solemn, empty, and dead. Nothing living wanted to leave the cool comfort of its home. Home, a place I’d never known. I’ve spent all of my life wandering out here in no-mans-land. But I was never this alone.
I had to stop going. The heat was giving me a major headache, and I was very thirsty. I ran out of water yesterday, but I hadn’t noticed the thirst until now. Nearby was a dead tree trunk, so I went over to it and threw my things on the ground, then collapsed near them. I let out a long sigh.
My belongings were not significant, but they were the only things I had besides the clothes on my back. I had a forage bag that contained things my father had given me, like his poems and letters he wrote for me when I was little. I also carried around an old shotgun that I was told had passed through the generations of my family, which I had never used but kept around just in case.
These things that I owned meant the world to me, and always encouraged me to keep going. But I felt as though I couldn’t. I was drained of energy and spirit. As the heat smothered around me, and the dehydration seemingly suffocated my throat, I closed my eyes.
Dad left this morning. Now it was evening, and he still hadn’t come back. Where had he gone?
No matter how worried I’ve gotten, I promised him I would watch camp. What if he actually came back and I wasn’t here? There was nothing I could do. But the fretting voice inside my head wouldn’t stop bothering me. Dad always came back from hunting. Something was wrong.
Our camp was set up along the I-94, a major trading route through lower Michigan. Dad and I are traders and make a living selling most of our goods to towns along the interstate. It can be busy travel work, but I don’t mind. I’ve never had a steady home because of this; the Lands were my home. I’ve been out here for so long that I was practically born to the dust and sand.
Another two hours went eventless. I sat and read some of the books we were supposed to sell, but if we weren’t moving anywhere, what was the use? I was still worried, but if he didn’t get home soon, the contracts we’d made with the towns would become void unless we followed the proper schedule. By now we were way off.
I sighed and put the books aside. I would most likely be alone tonight, and it scared me. Anything, or anyone could come down the interstate and cause trouble. Before I rolled my cot out, I loaded my shotgun but turned the safety on, just in case. If Dad wasn’t back by noon tomorrow, I needed to leave.
I woke up that night, when the air was cool and stars were shining bright in the sky. A soft breeze brushed my skin, and it felt nice. My throat was still aching for liquid, but that wasn’t the least of my worries. In the distance, I could hear noises, such as growling and grumbling. They were Creature noises.
Creatures were monsters. Nothing from childhood tales, although they could be if you twisted the image just right. Creatures were a species of lizards that stood, at the most, two feet off the ground. Their size may not be intimidating, but their teeth were. Long, razor sharp, curved fangs hung from their mouths. They were known for ripping prey apart- and humans were prey.
I prayed that the noises wouldn’t get any closer, but to no avail. I then heard pitter-patter. Without another thought, I jumped up and ran.
My sudden movement definitely gave my position away. Now, instead of one Creature, when I looked back five were chasing me. Their beady flashing eyes and crazed faces were the only thing I could see along with the shine of their fangs. I’ve never been the best runner, but I ran harder that I ever had before.
I didn’t know exactly where I was, for the wandering I’d been doing lately screwed with my sense of direction. But in the distance, a looming mass caught my eye. The closer I ran, I could make out a light illuminating a small gate. A town! That was good enough for me, so I set my energy upon it. However, as if the situation could get any worse, my feet tangled up with the dirt and I fell into a seemingly impending doom, my shotgun flying from my grip.
The Creatures now snarled and growled and were only a few feet away from me. The stupid things liked to slowly approach their next meal before digging in. I was frantically trying to crawl away, that is until two of them pounced on my foot, and a sharp pain riddled throughout my leg. They were gnawing on it. I began to scream with agony and tears swelled in my eyes. That’s it. You’re done for…
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!”
Suddenly, this noise erupted over all of the maniacal chaos.
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!”
The chewing on my foot went away, (although the pain didn’t), and the Creature had slumped over. All of the Creatures had slumped over on the dirt. They were bloody, too.
“Hey, are you okay?” someone’s voice sounded to my right. I looked over and beheld a man clutching an assault rifle. I slowly nodded my head.
The man slung his rifle over his shoulder and stepped towards me, then bent down to the ground. He looked me up and down, stopping at my feet. “You’re hurt,” he sighed. His voice was raspy and he smelt strongly of cigarettes. “Damn Creatures…”
He looked back at my face. “I’ll take you back to town. Think you can walk?”
I shook my head. “My foot is killing me.”
“They got you pretty good. Eh, I’ll carry you. That your gun?” He pointed to my shotgun lying a few feet away.
“Yeah,” I replied. He stood and walked over to it, then slung it on his back along with his. He then proceeded to help me up on my uninjured foot, and then lift me up with a grunt. The man must’ve been pretty strong, lifting me up like that and carrying me to the town gates. A few guards stood around to help. In the light, I could finally see his face; olive skin, a shaven head, messy, dark brown hair and brown eyes. The others found me a bed with wheels, which I had to lay on in order to be taken to town. Before they went to wheel me away, (and the man wasn’t coming along), I gently grasped his arm.
“Thank you,” I croaked out.
“Don’t mention it.”
With that, I was taken into town.
My fear was confirmed the next morning, when Dad still hadn’t come back to camp. It very much distressed me, and most of my worry had turned into anger and bitter resentment. Where could he have gone that would take such a long journey? Did he even go hunting?
The only thing I worried about now was leaving. I didn’t have much experience with the cruelty of the world around us. Sure, I’ve lived my whole life out here, and it was my home. But I was also protected by a gun-wielding father who’d let nothing hurt me. Besides- we had never traveled that far into dangerous territory. But I couldn’t wait forever. I needed to look for him.
With a sad frown, I packed some essentials and slung my forage bag across my back, then grabbed my shotgun, (which I thankfully didn’t have to use last night). I wish I could take the whole camp, but hopefully it would be here when I got back. Probably not, though: other traders or Raiders would probably scavenge anything left behind.
After reminiscing, I soon left the camp, the only place I’d ever known, even if Dad and I carried it with us. But Dad was more important to find- without him, I was vulnerable. Most of all, he was the only friend and family I had in this world, and I loved him. I could only hope he didn’t go far.
"Name?”
“Paradox Jamieson,” I replied.
“Age?"
“Seventeen.”
"Date of birth?”
“November 30th, 2292.”
The woman asking me questions looked up from her paper and smiled. “Paradox, huh? Peculiar name… Well, no need to worry. The questions are just a formality.”
I smiled in return. Everyone said that about my name, that it was strange and different. Same with my hair; it was long, (it fell farther down than my waist), and dark, cherry red in color. Other than that, I was just your average trading girl with brown eyes and tan skin.
The woman, who had a pointy nose, big glasses, and brown hair tied in a bun, looked back down at her paper. “Alright, two more questions- because you’re a minor, we need your parent’s names.”
My throat got tight. “My father’s name is Redding Jamieson. I don’t know my mother.”
She wrote something down. “Where’s your father?”
“I have no idea. The whole reason I’m here is because I was trying to find him. He went out hunting and vanished.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “Well, do you wish to become a citizen of this community?”
I thought hard about it for a moment. I’d been wandering for three days before this whole incident happened- life out in the Desolate Lands was terrible. No wonder people banded together to stay alive. However, my Dad needed finding, no matter the risk. But yet again, what if I couldn’t find him?
“Can I think about it?” I asked.
“Sure, hon,” she replied. She stood from her chair and walked to my bedside. “Welcome to Lincoln. Oh, and my name is Genevieve Parish, town mayor.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Genevieve smiled. “I hope you get to feeling better!” with that, she spun around and headed for the door.
At the moment, I was resting in Lincoln’s town clinic. My foot wasn’t beyond repair, but the doctor declared I stay off of it for a little while. I was shown hospitality, water, and food, and it felt as though I hadn’t ate for ages. I was delightfully thankful.
Maybe was time for me to settle down and live a decent life.
Later that day, when it wasn’t quite sunset but the sun was low in the sky, the clinic doctor gave me permission to walk around. I wanted to get out and see the town, to actually interact with a normal community and environment. So, after my foot was wrapped in some nice bandaging, I took my first step into Lincoln.
Lincoln was two levels high and surrounded by a makeshift metal fence. The first level, on the ground, was where a few markets and restaurants were. On the second level there were residences and the clinic. I shied my way around town, circumspectly observing people and what they did. No one really acknowledge me, but that was fine.
When sunset finally did hit, I found a little pub in the far back corner of town. I felt a bit hungry and I had some money on me, so I headed on inside. The room smelt of charcoal and there weren’t very many people, but sitting alone at the end of the bar was a familiar face- the man who’d saved me.
I felt gratitude, and wanted to thank him properly- after all, I would’ve died if he hadn’t been there. I owed him that much. Amicably, I made my way over toward him; he had his head down on the counter, and empty bottle sitting beside him. I lightly tapped on his shoulder.
“Hello mister,” I said quietly.
He lifted his head. “Oh, hey, you’re the girl from yesterday.”
I extended my hand. “Paradox. I’m Paradox.”
“Jaron Reynold,” he said, taking my hand into his firm one. “Would you like something? I’ll help you out.”
“That would be fantastic,” I said, sitting beside him. He got a waitresses attention and she took our order immediately. “The people here seem friendly,” I remarked.
Jaron laughed. “Yeah, they are. I don’t really hang out with them; they think I’m something different, so I mind my own business… Speaking of business, what in the world were you doing out there last night?”
I stayed truthful. “Looking for my Dad. He went missing, and I was looking for him.”
Jaron sighed, sadly. “When people go away they usually don’t come back in this world. You sure he’s still out there?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I’m hoping he is.”
“A young girl like you should stay in one place. Really. Did Miss Parish talk to you about becoming a citizen?”
“Yes, she did. I said I’ll think about it.”
“Well, take it into deep consideration. Lincoln’s a nice town, truly,” he finished once my dinner was brought over. He paid for it, saying it was on the house.
Jaron was right; I needed a home.
Hopefully, I had found it.
“Morning, Dad,” I mumbled.
He gently patted my wild, messy hair down. “I’m going out to get food. You need to watch camp.”
“Sure,” I replied.
With fatherly love, he kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
...
Walking. That’s all I ever seemed to do anymore. And I was so tired of it… The crunch of the rocks beneath my feet, the dust in my eyes, the smell of earthy copper… It was my only companion in the Desolate Lands, the cursed place that I wandered, day and night. I would stop only to rest only when I was too exhausted to go any further.
The sky above was scorching with heat. It was the middle of summer, July, in fact, when the Lands were most solemn, empty, and dead. Nothing living wanted to leave the cool comfort of its home. Home, a place I’d never known. I’ve spent all of my life wandering out here in no-mans-land. But I was never this alone.
I had to stop going. The heat was giving me a major headache, and I was very thirsty. I ran out of water yesterday, but I hadn’t noticed the thirst until now. Nearby was a dead tree trunk, so I went over to it and threw my things on the ground, then collapsed near them. I let out a long sigh.
My belongings were not significant, but they were the only things I had besides the clothes on my back. I had a forage bag that contained things my father had given me, like his poems and letters he wrote for me when I was little. I also carried around an old shotgun that I was told had passed through the generations of my family, which I had never used but kept around just in case.
These things that I owned meant the world to me, and always encouraged me to keep going. But I felt as though I couldn’t. I was drained of energy and spirit. As the heat smothered around me, and the dehydration seemingly suffocated my throat, I closed my eyes.
...
Dad left this morning. Now it was evening, and he still hadn’t come back. Where had he gone?
No matter how worried I’ve gotten, I promised him I would watch camp. What if he actually came back and I wasn’t here? There was nothing I could do. But the fretting voice inside my head wouldn’t stop bothering me. Dad always came back from hunting. Something was wrong.
Our camp was set up along the I-94, a major trading route through lower Michigan. Dad and I are traders and make a living selling most of our goods to towns along the interstate. It can be busy travel work, but I don’t mind. I’ve never had a steady home because of this; the Lands were my home. I’ve been out here for so long that I was practically born to the dust and sand.
Another two hours went eventless. I sat and read some of the books we were supposed to sell, but if we weren’t moving anywhere, what was the use? I was still worried, but if he didn’t get home soon, the contracts we’d made with the towns would become void unless we followed the proper schedule. By now we were way off.
I sighed and put the books aside. I would most likely be alone tonight, and it scared me. Anything, or anyone could come down the interstate and cause trouble. Before I rolled my cot out, I loaded my shotgun but turned the safety on, just in case. If Dad wasn’t back by noon tomorrow, I needed to leave.
...
I woke up that night, when the air was cool and stars were shining bright in the sky. A soft breeze brushed my skin, and it felt nice. My throat was still aching for liquid, but that wasn’t the least of my worries. In the distance, I could hear noises, such as growling and grumbling. They were Creature noises.
Creatures were monsters. Nothing from childhood tales, although they could be if you twisted the image just right. Creatures were a species of lizards that stood, at the most, two feet off the ground. Their size may not be intimidating, but their teeth were. Long, razor sharp, curved fangs hung from their mouths. They were known for ripping prey apart- and humans were prey.
I prayed that the noises wouldn’t get any closer, but to no avail. I then heard pitter-patter. Without another thought, I jumped up and ran.
My sudden movement definitely gave my position away. Now, instead of one Creature, when I looked back five were chasing me. Their beady flashing eyes and crazed faces were the only thing I could see along with the shine of their fangs. I’ve never been the best runner, but I ran harder that I ever had before.
I didn’t know exactly where I was, for the wandering I’d been doing lately screwed with my sense of direction. But in the distance, a looming mass caught my eye. The closer I ran, I could make out a light illuminating a small gate. A town! That was good enough for me, so I set my energy upon it. However, as if the situation could get any worse, my feet tangled up with the dirt and I fell into a seemingly impending doom, my shotgun flying from my grip.
The Creatures now snarled and growled and were only a few feet away from me. The stupid things liked to slowly approach their next meal before digging in. I was frantically trying to crawl away, that is until two of them pounced on my foot, and a sharp pain riddled throughout my leg. They were gnawing on it. I began to scream with agony and tears swelled in my eyes. That’s it. You’re done for…
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!”
Suddenly, this noise erupted over all of the maniacal chaos.
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!”
The chewing on my foot went away, (although the pain didn’t), and the Creature had slumped over. All of the Creatures had slumped over on the dirt. They were bloody, too.
“Hey, are you okay?” someone’s voice sounded to my right. I looked over and beheld a man clutching an assault rifle. I slowly nodded my head.
The man slung his rifle over his shoulder and stepped towards me, then bent down to the ground. He looked me up and down, stopping at my feet. “You’re hurt,” he sighed. His voice was raspy and he smelt strongly of cigarettes. “Damn Creatures…”
He looked back at my face. “I’ll take you back to town. Think you can walk?”
I shook my head. “My foot is killing me.”
“They got you pretty good. Eh, I’ll carry you. That your gun?” He pointed to my shotgun lying a few feet away.
“Yeah,” I replied. He stood and walked over to it, then slung it on his back along with his. He then proceeded to help me up on my uninjured foot, and then lift me up with a grunt. The man must’ve been pretty strong, lifting me up like that and carrying me to the town gates. A few guards stood around to help. In the light, I could finally see his face; olive skin, a shaven head, messy, dark brown hair and brown eyes. The others found me a bed with wheels, which I had to lay on in order to be taken to town. Before they went to wheel me away, (and the man wasn’t coming along), I gently grasped his arm.
“Thank you,” I croaked out.
“Don’t mention it.”
With that, I was taken into town.
...
My fear was confirmed the next morning, when Dad still hadn’t come back to camp. It very much distressed me, and most of my worry had turned into anger and bitter resentment. Where could he have gone that would take such a long journey? Did he even go hunting?
The only thing I worried about now was leaving. I didn’t have much experience with the cruelty of the world around us. Sure, I’ve lived my whole life out here, and it was my home. But I was also protected by a gun-wielding father who’d let nothing hurt me. Besides- we had never traveled that far into dangerous territory. But I couldn’t wait forever. I needed to look for him.
With a sad frown, I packed some essentials and slung my forage bag across my back, then grabbed my shotgun, (which I thankfully didn’t have to use last night). I wish I could take the whole camp, but hopefully it would be here when I got back. Probably not, though: other traders or Raiders would probably scavenge anything left behind.
After reminiscing, I soon left the camp, the only place I’d ever known, even if Dad and I carried it with us. But Dad was more important to find- without him, I was vulnerable. Most of all, he was the only friend and family I had in this world, and I loved him. I could only hope he didn’t go far.
...
"Name?”
“Paradox Jamieson,” I replied.
“Age?"
“Seventeen.”
"Date of birth?”
“November 30th, 2292.”
The woman asking me questions looked up from her paper and smiled. “Paradox, huh? Peculiar name… Well, no need to worry. The questions are just a formality.”
I smiled in return. Everyone said that about my name, that it was strange and different. Same with my hair; it was long, (it fell farther down than my waist), and dark, cherry red in color. Other than that, I was just your average trading girl with brown eyes and tan skin.
The woman, who had a pointy nose, big glasses, and brown hair tied in a bun, looked back down at her paper. “Alright, two more questions- because you’re a minor, we need your parent’s names.”
My throat got tight. “My father’s name is Redding Jamieson. I don’t know my mother.”
She wrote something down. “Where’s your father?”
“I have no idea. The whole reason I’m here is because I was trying to find him. He went out hunting and vanished.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “Well, do you wish to become a citizen of this community?”
I thought hard about it for a moment. I’d been wandering for three days before this whole incident happened- life out in the Desolate Lands was terrible. No wonder people banded together to stay alive. However, my Dad needed finding, no matter the risk. But yet again, what if I couldn’t find him?
“Can I think about it?” I asked.
“Sure, hon,” she replied. She stood from her chair and walked to my bedside. “Welcome to Lincoln. Oh, and my name is Genevieve Parish, town mayor.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Genevieve smiled. “I hope you get to feeling better!” with that, she spun around and headed for the door.
At the moment, I was resting in Lincoln’s town clinic. My foot wasn’t beyond repair, but the doctor declared I stay off of it for a little while. I was shown hospitality, water, and food, and it felt as though I hadn’t ate for ages. I was delightfully thankful.
Maybe was time for me to settle down and live a decent life.
...
Later that day, when it wasn’t quite sunset but the sun was low in the sky, the clinic doctor gave me permission to walk around. I wanted to get out and see the town, to actually interact with a normal community and environment. So, after my foot was wrapped in some nice bandaging, I took my first step into Lincoln.
Lincoln was two levels high and surrounded by a makeshift metal fence. The first level, on the ground, was where a few markets and restaurants were. On the second level there were residences and the clinic. I shied my way around town, circumspectly observing people and what they did. No one really acknowledge me, but that was fine.
When sunset finally did hit, I found a little pub in the far back corner of town. I felt a bit hungry and I had some money on me, so I headed on inside. The room smelt of charcoal and there weren’t very many people, but sitting alone at the end of the bar was a familiar face- the man who’d saved me.
I felt gratitude, and wanted to thank him properly- after all, I would’ve died if he hadn’t been there. I owed him that much. Amicably, I made my way over toward him; he had his head down on the counter, and empty bottle sitting beside him. I lightly tapped on his shoulder.
“Hello mister,” I said quietly.
He lifted his head. “Oh, hey, you’re the girl from yesterday.”
I extended my hand. “Paradox. I’m Paradox.”
“Jaron Reynold,” he said, taking my hand into his firm one. “Would you like something? I’ll help you out.”
“That would be fantastic,” I said, sitting beside him. He got a waitresses attention and she took our order immediately. “The people here seem friendly,” I remarked.
Jaron laughed. “Yeah, they are. I don’t really hang out with them; they think I’m something different, so I mind my own business… Speaking of business, what in the world were you doing out there last night?”
I stayed truthful. “Looking for my Dad. He went missing, and I was looking for him.”
Jaron sighed, sadly. “When people go away they usually don’t come back in this world. You sure he’s still out there?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I’m hoping he is.”
“A young girl like you should stay in one place. Really. Did Miss Parish talk to you about becoming a citizen?”
“Yes, she did. I said I’ll think about it.”
“Well, take it into deep consideration. Lincoln’s a nice town, truly,” he finished once my dinner was brought over. He paid for it, saying it was on the house.
Jaron was right; I needed a home.
Hopefully, I had found it.
Literature
Horizons
Scarcely within earshot,
the gentle summer storm
is but an echo.
Miles away,
someone else's sky
is shaking.
Literature
felling family trees.
Autumn tastes like his name across the syrup of my tongue, his eyes held in the curl of every fallen maple leaf. He told me he had grown up as a lumberjack in a family of carpenters, born to fell his own family tree. It happened when he was sixteen, woke up one day with the axe in his hand, pine heart warped by snow-melt, eyes that couldn’t cry. He knew what he had to do.
His parents, father just a voice on the phone, mother a collection of frayed nerves, a creature of routine and neglect, four brothers of varying heights fashioning crooked branches into something beautiful, something vulnerable, easily eroded. And him, the lumberjack
Literature
Moments
Remember that time we sat on the bench together, waiting for the bus? You were quiet, like you always were, and I thought nothing of it. But then you turned to me, an unreadable look in your eyes, and you asked me what I liked most about life. I just stared at you, unsure how to answer. You seemed to take my silence as something bad.
“Never mind,” You mumbled. “It was a stupid question.”
“No, no.” I hurried to assure you. “I was just thinking. What I like best about life would probably be all the little moments that happen that end up meaning so much and all the people you meet along the way.”
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I had to write this for English class. I worked really hard on it! With help from my friend DangerousToast, we edited our short stories together.
This is a past story from the main character of my book, Paradox. Basically, I didnt want to veer away from my book and write something else, so I decided to do this. Throughout the course of the novel, the reader will wonder where her father went. In the epilogue, you'll find out.
Paradox's Character Bio: that1personuforgot.deviantart.…
Jaron's Character Bio: that1personuforgot.deviantart.…
I really, really hope you enjoy!~
All characters mentioned belong to me~
If you would like to use them or draw them, (most welcome), please ask for permission~
EDIT- changed formatting, fixed typo's.
This is a past story from the main character of my book, Paradox. Basically, I didnt want to veer away from my book and write something else, so I decided to do this. Throughout the course of the novel, the reader will wonder where her father went. In the epilogue, you'll find out.
Paradox's Character Bio: that1personuforgot.deviantart.…
Jaron's Character Bio: that1personuforgot.deviantart.…
I really, really hope you enjoy!~
All characters mentioned belong to me~
If you would like to use them or draw them, (most welcome), please ask for permission~
EDIT- changed formatting, fixed typo's.
© 2014 - 2024 BlueLionEyes
Comments4
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I love this story!